From initial contact to notarization: The sales process step by step

Many people think a real estate sale consists of three things: An ad online, a few viewings, a notary appointment. In practice, it is a clear process with many steps - and it is precisely these steps that determine whether selling real estate in Nuremberg runs smoothly, predictably and successfully or whether there is a hitch somewhere.

In this article, I will take you step by step: from the initial contact and inquiry to the notarization. Without theory, but as it happens in real everyday sales.

Step 1: First inquiry - and the right questions at the beginning

The sales process does not start with the valuation, but with a conversation. I want to understand:

Why do you want to sell (relocation, inheritance, separation, capital reallocation)?
Is there time pressure or a preferred date?
Is the property empty, owner-occupied or rented out?
Are there any special features (community of heirs, right of residence, usufruct, land register entries)?
What documents are already available?

This is important because it allows us to determine how to set up the process - and which issues need to be clarified at an early stage.

Step 2: On-site appointment - understanding the property, not just looking at it

The on-site appointment is not just about “having a quick look”. I check in a structured way:

Condition and substance
Modernization status (heating, roof, windows, electrics)
Floor plan and usability
Location quality and surroundings
Light, noise, outdoor area
Possible risks and special features

This assessment is later incorporated directly into the valuation, exposé, target group approach and pricing strategy.

Step 3: Document check - what is missing, what needs to be procured?

Before a property goes on the market, the database has to be right. I draw up a clear list:

Land register extract
Floor plans and living space calculation
Building plans, if available
Energy certificate
Modernization certificates
for rented properties: rental contracts, rental history, ancillary costs
for condominiums: Declaration of division, minutes, economic plan, property maintenance documents

Missing documents are normal - it is crucial to organize them in good time so that financing or the notary appointment does not come to a standstill later.

Christoffer Davis

Real Estate Agent (IHK) · Certified Property Valuer (IHK)

A property sale is a major decision. I make sure you enter the process informed and well-prepared.

Schedule a Meeting → Signature

Step 4: Valuation and pricing strategy - the key lever

Now comes the part that many people underestimate: A sound valuation is the basis for whether buyers will accept the price and banks will provide the financing.

I work with you on this:

Market value: realistically achievable market value under normal conditions
Standard land value: Orientation for the property value in Nuremberg, adapted to the specific property
Market analysis: demand, competition, marketing period in the submarket
Reference properties: Comparable properties that have actually been sold
Material value method: particularly relevant for owner-occupied houses
Income capitalization approach: central for rented properties

These building blocks do not result in an “estimate”, but rather a price framework that can be professionally justified - vis-à-vis buyers and banks.

Step 5: Prepare for marketing - presentation is strategy

Before we publish, the property is prepared in such a way that it appears credible, well-maintained and clear:

Plan photo shoot (light, sequence, exterior and interior shots)
Prepare floor plans so that they are easy to understand
Create an exposé: Facts, condition, location, special features, target group
Formulate the advertisement: clearly, honestly, without exaggeration
Selecting channels and addressing target groups

This step determines whether we receive suitable interested parties - or only unsuitable inquiries.

Step 6: Publication - and immediate structure in communication

As soon as the property is online, the most dynamic phase begins. I structure right from the start:

View and prioritize inquiries
Answer relevant questions
Provide targeted documents
Pre-qualify suitable interested parties
Bundle and plan viewings

The aim is to find out quickly: Who is serious? Who is suitable? Who can really buy?

Step 7: Viewings - organized and with substance

Viewings are not a show, but a step towards a decision. I pay attention to:

a clear route through the property
honest assessment of condition and modernization
transparent price argumentation with reference to market value, market analysis and reference properties
calm answers to all questions
Documentation of feedback and buying interest

The more structured the viewings are, the quicker serious buying intentions arise.

Step 8: Checking prospective buyers - the most important protection for owners

A high price is useless if the buyer cannot finance it. That’s why I check:

is there confirmation of financing or clear bank discussions?
Is equity capital available?
Have ancillary purchase costs been factored in (land transfer tax, notary, land register)?
Does the buyer’s schedule match the seller’s?

This reduces the risk of everything falling through just before the notary.

Step 9: Classify offers - don’t just decide based on numbers

When offers are received, I categorize them objectively:

Does the price match the valuation (market value, standard land value, market analysis)?
How stable is the financing?
Are there any conditions or special requests?
Is the schedule realistic?
What is the buyer profile (owner-occupier, investor)?

Often the best buyer is not the one with the highest bid, but the one with the most stable overall package.

Step 10: Negotiations - calm, objective, prepared

Negotiations are not based on “gut feeling”, but on facts:

Valuation and market analysis as a basis for argumentation
Reference objects for classification
Clear limits and leeway
Focus on reliability instead of maximum numbers
Coordination of handover and deadlines

This keeps negotiations fair and professional - without pressure games.

Step 11: Preparing the notarization - nothing should be left open here

Now begins the phase that many people underestimate: preparing for the notarization appointment.

I coordinate:

Complete documents to the notary’s office
Clarification of special features (tenancies, residential rights, usufruct, land register items)
Coordination of purchase price due date and transfer date
Queries from the notary and the buyer’s bank
Ensuring that both parties understand what is in the contract

Tax issues such as speculation tax can influence the timing. The specific examination belongs to the tax advisor, but I point this out at an early stage so that there are no late surprises.

Step 12: Notarization - the conclusion of a well-managed process

At the notarization, the purchase agreement is signed by a notary. If the process has been properly prepared, the appointment is not a hurdle, but a formal conclusion.

A good sales process is demonstrated by the fact that:

all documents are complete
there are no outstanding issues
buyer financing is stable
handover and procedure are clearly regulated
the seller can sign calmly and confidently

That’s exactly what I want.

Conclusion: A successful sale is not a coincidence, but a clean process

When selling a property in Nuremberg, it’s not the moment that counts, but the structure:

clear initial analysis
Complete documentation
sound valuation (market value, standard land value, market analysis, reference properties, asset value method, income value method)
professional presentation
verified interested parties
clean negotiations
Thorough preparation of the notarization

If these steps are properly interlinked, a complex project becomes a predictable path - from the inquiry to the notary’s signature.